Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-09-30
Knights Of Labor Platform.

The alarming development and aggres
siveness of the power of great capitalists
and corporations under the present indus
trial system will inevitably lead to the pau.
perization and hopeless degradation Of the
toiling masses. 1t is imperative, if we de.
sire to enjoy the full blessings of life, that
unjust accumulation and this power for
evil of aggregated wealth shall be prevent
ed. This much desired object can be &C.
complished only by the United efforts of
those who obey. the divine injunction :
I'm the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat
bread" Therefore we have formed the
Order of the Knights of Labor for the pur-
pose of organizing, educating and directing
the power of the industrial masses.
1t is not political party, it is more-for
in it are crystallized sentiments and meas
ures for the benefit of the whole people;
but it should be borne in mind, when ex-
ercising the right of suffrage, that most of
the objects herein set forth can only be OBJ
tanned through legislation, and that it is
the duty, regardless of party, of all to as
sist in nominating and supporting with
their votes such candidates as will support
these measures. No one shall, however, be
compelled to vote with the majority.
Calling upon all who believe in securing
the greatest good to the greatest number
to join ind assist us, we declare to the
world that our aims are -
I. To make industrial and moral worth,
not wealth, the true standard OF individual
and National greatness.
II. To secure to the workers the full en-
joyment of the wealth they create; sufficient
leisure in which to develop their intellec-
tual, moral and social faculties; all of the
benefits, reereations and pleasures of asso-
citation; in word to enable them to share
IN the gains and honors of advancing civil
lization.
In order to secure these results, we de-
mand at the hands of the aw-making power
of State and Nation:
III. The establishment of Bureaus of
Labor Statistics, that we may arrive at q
correct knowledge of the educational.
moral and financial condition Of the labor
ing masses.
Nv. That the public lands, the heritage
of the people be reserved for actual settlers
not another acre for railroad or other
spectators, Or alien landlords; and that all
lands now held for speculative purposes be
taxed to their full value.
# V. The abrogation Of all laws that do
not bear equally upon capitalists and labor
ers, and the removals of unjust TECHNICAL
tiles, delays and Determinations in the ad-
ministration of justice
VI. The adoption of measures providing
for the health and safety of those engaged
in mining, manufacturing and building in
dustries, and for indemnifcation to
those engaged therein for injuriee received
through lack of necessary safeguards.
VII. The recognition, by incorpora-
ton, of orders and other associations or
gained by the workers to improve their
condition and protect their rights.
VIII. The enactment of laws to COM
pei corporations to pay their employees
weekly, in lawful money, for the labor of
the preceding week, and giving mechan-
les and laborers first lien upon the pro-
duct of their labor to the extent of their
full wages.
TX. The abolition of the contract sys-
tenn on National, State and Municipal
works.
X. The enactment of laws providing
for arbitration between employers and en-
ployed, and to enforce the decision of the
arbitrators.
XII. The prohibition, by law, of the en-
ployment of children under fifteen years
of age.
XII. To prohibit the hiring out Of con-
vict labor.
XIII. That gradual income tax be
levied.
XIV. The establishment of National
monetary system, in which a circulating
medium in necessary quantity shall issue
directly to the people, without the inter
vention of banks; that all the National
issue shall be full legal tender in payment
of all debts, public and private; and that
the Government shall not guarantee or
recognize any private banks OF create any
banking corporations.
XIV. That interest bearing bonds, bills
of credit or notes shall never be issued by
the Government, but that, when need
arises, the emergency shall be met by issue
of legal-tender, non-int 9rest-bearing mon
ey.
XVI. That the importation of foreign
labor under contract be prohibited.
XVII. That in connection with the
post. Office, the Government shall organize
financial exchanges, safe deposits and IA
cilities for deposit of savings of the people
in small sums.
XVIII. That the Government shall OBJ
tain possession, by purchase, under the
right of eminent domain, of all telegraphs,
telephones and railroads; and that hereaf-
ter no charter or license be issued to any
corporation for construction or operation
of any means of transporting Intelligence,
passengers or freight.
And while making the foregoing de-
mands upon the State and National Gov
eminent, we will endeavor to associate our
own labors =
XIX. To establish cooperative institu-
tons, such as will tend to supersede the
wage system, by the introduction of CO.
operative industrial system.
XXX To secure for both sexes equal pay
for equal work.
XXI. To gain some of the benefits of
labor-saving machinery by a gradual re
duction of the hours of labor to eight per
day.
XXI. To persuade employers to agree
to arbitrate all differences which may arise
between them and their employees, in order
that the bonds of sympathy between them
may strengthened and that strikes may be
rendered unnecessary.